USA Dance proudly honored Gloria Schohn and Jane Downing with this year’s Nationals Volunteer Awards at the USA Dance National Ballroom DanceSport Championships, March 28-30 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. These awards recognized their groundbreaking efforts in promoting the 2025 National Ballroom DanceSport Championships to a broader audience than ever before.
What Is the Nationals Volunteer Award?
The Nationals Volunteer Award is a prestigious recognition presented annually by USA Dance to individuals or teams who have gone above and beyond in supporting the Nationals DanceSport Championships. Whether through organizing, promoting, volunteering, or offering creative solutions, recipients of this award have made a measurable impact on the success of Nationals. The award highlights dedication, innovation, and outstanding service in advancing competitive ballroom dancing and fostering community engagement.
Innovation in Action
Last fall, USA Dance President Chuck Garrett personally tasked Gloria with a critical mission: increase spectator attendance at Nationals. Rising to the challenge, Gloria and Jane partnered with the local community, media, and dance studios to build an impressive promotional campaign unlike anything tried before.
Their outreach included:
Direct engagement with 17 local ballroom studios and four collegiate dance clubs
Spectator ticket sales at four social dances, offered at an affordable $15
Strategic advertising through:
Sports Pittsburgh’s event calendar (part of Visit Pittsburgh)
55 Plus Magazine
The Murrysville Star and Penn Franklin News
Targeted promotions like 2-for-1 ticket offers through non-ballroom dance programs and the Dancing with the Stars Tour
High-profile media appearances on KDKA’s Pittsburgh Today Live and Talk Pittsburgh
Thanks to their innovative strategies, nearly $9,000 in ticket sales were generated—an impressive number for a first-time effort and a promising sign for future growth.
Gloria and Jane’s work set a new standard for Nationals outreach and showed what’s possible when creativity meets passion. As Gloria put it, “This was just the beginning. Next year will be even better!”
Congratulations to Gloria Schohn and Jane Downing for their well-earned recognition and for inspiring us all to think outside the box in sharing the joy of ballroom dance.
